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Inexpensive PJ recommendations

T

tris66

Dec 9, 2023
61
105
#1
A couple quick notes about me: I'm not new to bass. I got my first bass on 1986 Yamaha BB100? 300? Can't remember.) I worked in a Gibson guitar factory for about a decade. I have been using an old early 80s Carvin (Gibson Ripper(?) style for a couple decades) with DR high beams.
I've been recording in the back room and have been trying to get a sound closer to some 60's tunes that were probably recorded with a P bass with flatwounds. So I have decided to get something inexpensive and slap some vintage sounding PJ pickups in then slip on some flatwounds. I already have the pickups. I've been scraping through the local pawnshops and haven't come up with anything. Our last local music store has two feet in the grave with one toe sticking out, so they are no help. So I am asking YOU bass players for suggestions.
I have played the Gios. The neck is not wide enough at the nut. I have seen the Yamaha TRBXs online, but the tuners look cheap and scare me. I know nothing about the Cort or Spectra, Mitchell, etc. My current thoughts are to just order a Squire PJ, but I'm concerned about neck dive with some of the light wood they use. Squire PJ users please tell me what you think. I want a decent neck, body and tuners. The rest I can modify. Inexpensive is best. I will greatfully consider your suggestions.

And a shout-out to @JimmyM ... because I harass him on the drum forum.
 
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#3
New or used? Standard scale, medium scale or short? P bass body, J bass body or Jag shaped body? P or J nut width?

Squier made P/Js in a LOT of different flavors over the years. Currently, they have a few in their lineup.

I've had a 2011 Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Special since 2012, and honestly, it's the most trouble free bass I own. As an inexpensive instrument (I think they were $199 new), I haven't treated it kindly or stored it with much care. But after 13+ years, the tuners still hold tune, and the neck has just started to grow a little fret sprout and a bit of a headstock twist. But that's on me. I finally changed the strings after more than a decade. It still plays well, even with the stock pickups and funky bass boost feature.

The most inexpensive path is probably used, since a new Affinity P bass PJ will set you back $350. You can probably score a used PJ for less than that.
 
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#5
DCErik said:
What's the budget? The classifieds here are always my first stop when bass shopping, and I've seen some amazing stuff from members local to me.
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Budget... I'm thinking $300. I will check out the classifieds. I'm in Montana, so nothing is likely to be local. And I've been looking locally since used is generally the most bang for the buck as @ghostdog93 said.... and shipping has gotten out of hand.
 
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#6
ghostdog93 said:
New or used? Standard scale, medium scale or short? P bass body, J bass body or Jag shaped body? P or J nut width?

Squier made P/Js in a LOT of different flavors over the years. Currently, they have a few in their lineup.
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Standard scale. A body that ballances when standing or sitting.
You get it. Squier has made a ton of variations and I have not kept up with what is what. That is why I broke down and came here to beg for advice.
 
#7
Late last year, I ordered my Squier Affinity P/J from Sweetwater. 9. So it's one of the new Affinity's.

I made a few visual mods, but it really only needed a quick setup. I still love how it feels, plays and sounds. I don't really notice much, if any, neck dive. It feels pretty balanced nor is it very heavy. Not sure of the actual weight. I usually mod my basses...i.e.- pickup, electronics, etc. but felt no need to. It's great as is.

PJSun.jpg


Mark-PJ-pick-playing2.jpg
 
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#8
IME, the P bass body shape is the most comfortable and well balanced out of all the FSOs. I love offset bodies, but Jazz and Jag shapes aren't the most comfortable for me standing up, mainly because of the large lower bout. But my Jag is reasonably well balanced, with the upper horn strap button hitting right around the middle of the 12th fret.

Anyhow, Squier cranked out a few 34" scale P bass P/Js in both their Affinity and Vintage Modified lines in the early 2000s throughout the end of the 2010s. You might want to hunt Reverb and hope you find one from a seller with reasonable shipping costs.
 
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#12
tris66 said:
Budget... I'm thinking $300. I will check out the classifieds. I'm in Montana, so nothing is likely to be local. And I've been looking locally since used is generally the most bang for the buck as @ghostdog93 said.... and shipping has gotten out of hand.
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TLDR $0.02....

On that budget I'd consider a Squier from a big box store. Namely, Sweetwater or MF/GC. Shipped to your home for you to take your time inspecting it. Any defects...return for full refund, including shipping fees. If you just don't like it for any reason, even if there's nothing wrong with it, and they want you to pay for return shipping, don't sweat it....return shipping from MF/GC is cheap (like ~$25). Of the two, MF is the most liberal with their return policy (no Q's asked).

You won't have that same luxury buying from the classifieds. If you think you can't get stung buying that way, you can. :(

Another thing, reselling cheap guitars online is usually a financial disaster percentage-wise, mostly due to crazy high shipping costs for individual sellers (like you and me) and the fact that they're so cheap brand new, why would anyone pay much for a used one? Makes no sense.

Speaking of Squiers....a few months ago I took a chance on a new Squier P bass with a cool surf green finish, on sale at MF ($349). Just an impulse GAS purchase that seemed like a good idea at the time. I have to say it played beautifully, sounded okay, was fit & finished perfectly, and had adequate hardware. I really wanted to keep it, but then I snapped outta my GAS fugue and realized that another bass was the last thing I needed. Took me two weeks to finally send it back. It was that nice.

Good luck.
 
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#13
Iridescentone said:
TLDR $0.02....

On that budget I'd consider a Squier from a big box store. Namely, Sweetwater or MF/GC. Shipped to your home for you to take your time inspecting it. Any defects...return for full refund, including shipping fees. If you just don't like it for any reason, even if there's nothing wrong with it, and they want you to pay for return shipping, don't sweat it....return shipping from MF/GC is cheap (like ~$25). Of the two, MF is the most liberal with their return policy (no Q's asked).

You won't have that same luxury buying from the classifieds. If you think you can't get stung buying that way, you can. :(

Another thing, reselling cheap guitars online is usually a financial disaster percentage-wise, mostly due to crazy high shipping costs for individual sellers (like you and me) and the fact that they're so cheap brand new, why would anyone pay much for a used one? Makes no sense.

Speaking of Squiers....a few months ago I took a chance on a new Squier P bass with a cool surf green finish, on sale at MF ($349). Just an impulse GAS purchase that seemed like a good idea at the time. I have to say it played beautifully, sounded okay, was fit & finished perfectly, and had adequate hardware. I really wanted to keep it, but then I snapped outta my GAS fugue and realized that another bass was the last thing I needed. Took me two weeks to finally send it back. It was that nice.

Good luck.
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Yes, shipping costs these days are almost unbearable.

I almost always shop online at Sweetwater. I always deal with Joey there. I've purchased two basses (the Squier, a 6 string Ibanez GR206), a combo amp (Fender Rumble 100), an Alesis electronic drumset, and a variety of other smaller things (cables, Zoom 1BX Four effects pedal, etc.) from him.

It's not quite like buying local but just about as close as you can get to it, given I have an established relationship with one guy. Their return policy is great (though I have yet to return anything). In fact,. when I bought the e-drum kit, there was no drum key with it. I called Joey and he sent me a 3 pack of drum keys...no charge and got them in two days.

Plus, with Sweetwater, you get free candy! :laugh:
 
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#14
Chances are you actually do know something about Cort. They have produced instruments for Ibanez, PRS, Squier, Schector, G&L and others. If you've played a budget bass from one of those manufacturers you have played a Cort made instrument. Basically, their own brand of basses are just Ibanez designs with different headstocks. Cort must have gotten a deal on Poplar burl a few years ago because it's on just about every instrument coming out of Indonesia right now.
 
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#15
At the $300 range and stipulating new, I 'd recommend either the Squier Affinity or the Yamaha BB234. Both are $350 so you could be skipping lunch a few days.

You could take a flyer on a Harley Benton PJ, which can be had for under $150 plus around $85 shipping. Those are purportedly quite good for the money.

Me, I'd get the Yamaha. But I'm like you, I played one all over the place in the late 80s. Mine was a BB1600 that I wish I still had.
 
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#19
Get a Squier Sonic P then add overwound hum cancelling or split J bridge pickup on 60s position.

A500K Volume/volume pot only and a set of bright sounding bass string.

Play PJ , play hot ,attack and aggressive 💪 💪 💪
 
#20
Stewie said:
Used Squier Classic Vibe. I have two of the CV50s, one from China and one from Indonesia. Hardware is adequate, fit and finish flawless. One is basswood, one pine, neither has neck dive. I bet all the CV line is similar.
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Only discontinued China CV bass only great for me,

I am done with those rebranded 5 unit Indo CV50P and 1 FSR CV70P. I am more happy with sonic P more except satin coated neck
 

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